MScAdvanced Biological Sciences
Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/biosciences/biologicalsciences/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences
| UCAS code | 1234 |
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer View full entry requirements | At least a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in Biology or a relevant science subject |
| Contextual offers |
Why study MSc Advanced Biological Sciences at Exeter?
- Undertake a substantial research project working within one of our world-leading research groups inside one of the UK's leading Biosciences departments, ranked 6th in the UK for research power (REF 2021)
- Opportunity to tailor your degree to your career ambitions by choosing one of our seven specialist pathways, including Animal Biology, Microbiology and Infectious Disease, and Sustainable Aquaculture
- Boost your employability with advanced laboratory skills and data processing training
Apply online
Select date of entry Sept 2026
Select programme Full time Part time
Apply for Jan 2026 entry
Apply for Sept 2026 entry
Fast Track (current Exeter students)
Contact
Programme Director: Dr Alison Hill
Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72
Play
Top 20 in the UK for world-leading research in Biological Sciences
REF 2021, based on 4-star research
Opportunity to specialise with a choice of pathways
Advance laboratory skills with specialist techniques training
Substantial research project within one of our world-leading research groups
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant science subject.
Relevant subjects include: Biological Sciences, Cell Biology, Ecology, Ecology and Conservation, Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Marine Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Plant Science, Zoology.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
The Masters programme at Exeter allows you to specialise in an area of Biology that you are most interested in and gives you a fantastic opportunity to undertake research in one of our world-leading research laboratories.
Programme Director and Senior Lecturer
Course content
Our MSc in Advanced Biological Sciences degree allows you to study a broad base of Biological Sciences, or specialise in one of six specialist areas (Animal Biology, Bioinformatics, Ecotoxicology, Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Molecular and Cellular Biology, or Sustainable Aquaculture).
Throughout this research-intensive Masters, you will be immersed in a world-leading research environment and trained in the skills required to analyse and address major biological challenges of our time.
Knowledge and skills learned during core modules will enable you to develop your research project, which will be supervised within one of our world-leading research groups, determined by your research project focus.
The optional modules available provide access to a breadth of biosciences topics, which will allow you to tailor your studies to your particular interests and career goals.
Our Advanced Laboratory Skills module provides training in both practical and data processing skills, with advanced laboratory experiments carried out in small groups to prepare you for your independent research project with one of our research groups.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Modules
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOM560 | Research Project | 90 |
| BIOM509 | Professional Skills | 15 |
| BIOM549 | Advanced Laboratory Skills | 15 |
Optional modules
*You cannot choose this module if you have already taken the undergraduate version
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOM515 | Cellular Basis of Immunity * | 15 |
| BIOM516 | Bioinformatics * | 15 |
| BIOM534 | Medical Mycology | 15 |
| BIOM543 | Ecology of Environmental Change * | 15 |
| BIOM544 | Ecotoxicology * | 15 |
| BIOM545 | Frontiers in Plant Biology * | 15 |
| BIOM546 | Living in a Microbial World * | 15 |
| BIOM547 | Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology * | 15 |
| BIOM548 | Cell Biology of Disease * | 15 |
| BIOM553 | Current Issues in Marine Biology * | 15 |
| BIOM554 | Advanced Applications of Physiology * | 15 |
| BIOM555 | Bioimaging | 15 |
| BIOM567 | Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 |
| BIOM568 | Blue Planet | 15 |
| BIOM570 | Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology | 15 |
| BIOM571 | Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection | 15 |
| CSC3009 | Pharmacogenomics | 15 |
| GEOM149 | Green Planet | 15 |
| HPDM039 | Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare | 15 |
| HPDM041 | Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis | 15 |
| NSCM005 | Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine | 15 |
| PSYM205 | Advances and Methods in Animal Behaviour | 30 |
| PSYM213 | Current Research Issues in Animal Behaviour | 15 |
Specialist pathways
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
During your MSc you can, if you wish, choose to specialise in one of six specialist pathways:
- Animal Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Ecotoxicology
- Microbiology and Infectious Disease
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Sustainable Aquaculture
You will receive advice about the specialisms once you're at Exeter so you don’t need to make any decisions in advance.
Specialist modules
To be awarded a bracketed specialism on the MSc, at least 45 credits should be selected from the specialist modules grouped below. Your research project (module BIOM560) must also be relevant to the specialist field.
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows, and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
*You cannot choose this module if you have already taken the undergraduate version.
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences (Animal Biology)
| Code | Module title | Credits | Compulsory |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM553 | Current Issues in Marine Biology (variant of BIO3083)* | 15 | No |
| BIOM554 | Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | No |
| PSYM205 | Advances and Methods in Animal Behaviour | 30 | No |
| PSYM213 | Current Research Issues in Animal Behaviour | 15 | No |
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences (Bioinformatics)
| Code | Module title | Credits | Compulsory |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM516 | Bioinformatics (variant of BIO3092)* | 15 | Yes |
| BIOM567 | Applications of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 | Yes |
| CSC4007 | Medical Genomics | 15 | No |
| CSC4005 | Pharmacogenomics | 15 | No |
| HPDM041 | Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis | 15 | No |
| NSCM005 | Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine | 15 | No |
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences (Ecotoxicology)
| Code | Module title | Credits | Compulsory |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM568 | Blue Planet | 15 | Yes |
| BIOM544 | Ecotoxicology (variant of BIO3067)* | 15 | Yes |
| BIOM543 | Ecology of Environmental Change (variant of BIO3037)* | 15 | No |
| BIOM554 | Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | No |
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences (Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
| Code | Module title | Credits | Compulsory |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM525 | Molecular Basis of Infection (variant of BIO3079)* | 15 | No |
| BIOM515 | Cellular Basis of Immunity (variant of BIO3078)* | 15 | No |
| BIOM534 | Medical Mycology | 15 | No |
| BIOM567 | Applications of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 | No |
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences (Molecular and Cellular Biology)
| Code | Module title | Credits | Compulsory |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM525 | Molecular Basis of Infection (variant of BIO3079)* | 15 | No |
| BIOM515 | Cellular Basis of Immunity (variant of BIO3078)* | 15 | No |
| BIOM547 | Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology (variant of BIO3077)* | 15 | No |
| BIOM548 | Cell Biology of Disease (variant of BIO3086)* | 15 | No |
| NSCM009 | Bioimaging | 15 | No |
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences (Sustainable Aquaculture)
| Code | Module title | Credits | Compulsory |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM568 | Blue Planet | 15 | Yes |
| BIOM553 | Current Issues in Marine Biology (variant of BIO3083)* | 15 | No |
| BIOM554 | Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | No |
*You cannot choose this module if you have already taken the undergraduate version.
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Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£15,000 full-time; £7,500 part-time**
International fees per year:
£31,200 full-time; £15,600 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..
Find out more about tuition fees and funding »
The ability to specialise the degree really allows students to tailor this programme to their own ambitions and career aspirations.
Dr Rose Murray
External examiner (University of Bristol)
The suite of programmes naturally builds on our internationally-leading undergraduate degrees, providing a rich and focused research-led experience. It works both ways - a fantastic opportunity for students to enhance their specialist training, while welcoming a new cohort of enthusiastic, budding scientists into our Departmental community.
Professor James Wakefield
Head of Biosciences
Teaching and research
How will I learn?
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Laboratory work
- Group discussion
- Independent study
- Research project
The programme consists of core modules that provide you with a theoretical and applied learning framework for directed student-centred learning where you’ll develop in-demand skills of synthesis, critical analysis, and interpretation. You’ll also receive professional skills training tailored to the areas most relevant to your academic and professional development.
Research project
You will carry out your independent supervised research project in one of our world-leading research laboratories. Research projects are individual and can be based on laboratory work, field work or in silico (e.g. bioinformatics).
The research project will give you first-hand experience in many aspects of research work including data generation, analysis, and interpretation as well as science communication in written, poster and oral presentations.
During your research project, you will be supported by your research supervisor and other members of the research group to ensure you produce your best work.
Facilities
Depending on your chosen modules and research project topic, you may have access to the following facilities:
- Aquatic Resources Centre
- Bioimaging Centre
- Exeter Sequencing Facility
- Mass Spectrometry Facility
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology
- Living Systems Institute
- Exeter Cytomics Facility
Tutorial support
You will be allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice, and our programme director will offer every student a meeting each term to review academic progress.
Assessment
Taught modules are assessed through essay examinations, individual and group-based coursework assignments, oral presentations, in-module tests and reports or essays. A significant proportion of the marks are based on your substantial research project and the associated paper submitted in August.
Read more
Professor Eduarda Santos
Associate Professor in Environmental Biology
Professor Neil Gow
Professor of Microbiology
Professor Vinod Kumar
Associate Professor of Plant Biology
Dr Alison Hill
Programme Director and Senior Lecturer
Professor James Wakefield
Professor of Integrative Cellular Biology and Head of Biosciences
Professor Eduarda Santos
Associate Professor in Environmental Biology
Professor Santos is an environmental biologist investigating reproductive development and function and the susceptibility of these processes to disruption by environmental stressors. Her research focuses on fish and has ranged from investigating the endocrine control of reproduction to addressing the population level effects of chemical exposure for wild fish, using systems biology strategies.
Profile page Follow Eduarda on Twitter
Professor Eduarda Santos
Associate Professor in Environmental Biology
Professor Santos is an environmental biologist investigating reproductive development and function and the susceptibility of these processes to disruption by environmental stressors. Her research focuses on fish and has ranged from investigating the endocrine control of reproduction to addressing the population level effects of chemical exposure for wild fish, using systems biology strategies.
Profile page Follow Eduarda on Twitter
Professor Neil Gow
Professor of Microbiology
Professor Neil Gow’s research focuses on life-threatening fungal diseases, addressing critical challenges such as diagnosis difficulties, the lack of vaccines, and limited treatment options.
His research group works on the fungal cell wall, a unique target for immune recognition, interactions with human cells and other microbes and antifungal drug design and drug resistance problems, and he is pioneering new approaches to combat fungal infections. He is a tutor for postgraduate students on our MRes and MSc Advanced Biological Sciences courses.
Professor Vinod Kumar
Associate Professor of Plant Biology
Professor Kumar is a biologist interested in the fundamental principles that underpin perception and integration of environmental signals in plants. He is particularly interested in understanding how plants sense temperature and other seasonal cues to coordinate growth, development and immune responses. His current research is seeking to understand the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation in response to the environment, and adaptation of these mechanisms to local and dynamic environments.
Profile page Vinod's LinkedIn profile
Dr Alison Hill
Programme Director and Senior Lecturer
Dr Hill specialises in secondary metabolism and teaches chemistry and biochemistry. She carries out pedagogical research into incorporating mathematics into the curriculum. Alison is an Exeter Incubator Fellow and Senior Fellow of the HEA. She is the Senior Tutor for the Masters students and is module lead for the Professional Skills module.
Profile page Alison's LinkedIn profile
Professor James Wakefield
Professor of Integrative Cellular Biology and Head of Biosciences
Professor Wakefield’s research interest has always been that of mitosis and cell division, stimulated by the fundamental beauty of the process as viewed using a fluorescence microscope, and its key role in diseases such as cancer. He wants to understand how these systems organise themselves, and what governs the similarities and differences between them in diverse types of cell, at different stages of development, and during disease. He takes a multi-disciplinary approach, combining proteomics, bioinformatics and quantitative image analysis with qualitative, descriptive cell and developmental biology, and genetics.
Profile page Follow James on Twitter
Careers
MSc Advanced Biological Sciences will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for work in a range of sectors.
Skills include:
- Analytical skills
- Applied statistics
- Scientific writing
- Independent learning
- Critical evaluation
- Research technique
- Oral communication
In the Professional Skills module, we have dedicated careers workshops, and sessions on being an Academic Entrepreneur. Visiting speakers from outside the University are incorporated into some of the taught modules to further enhance your employability and you will be encouraged to seek out internships during your time here.
Careers services
Our dedicated careers team at the Career Zone can help guide you through a wealth of information to match your skills and interests to a career that will suit you. Our staff work with regional, national and international employers to develop new work placement, project and graduate opportunities.
Future careers
Graduates are well placed for a research career in industry, or for progression to PhD. You’ll also be competitively placed for work in Government Agencies such as CEFAS and DEFRA.
The programme is designed very well to support students in attainment of the programme ILOs. In particular, the advanced laboratory skills module is innovative and bespoke for this particular cohort, forming an integral part of the focus of the programme.
Dr Rose Murray
External examiner (University of Bristol)
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